Understanding Collectivism and Individualism

In today's episode of Use Your Difference, I talk about the difference between the individualist and collectivist mindset.

Say hi on social:

[aliceliu]

Same here.I came from a country which has strong collectivism culture, they also think individualism is so selfish.... They keep judging me I am a selfish person after I lived and studied abroad and got influenced by individualism which teaches me how to take care of myself first.

[alanhopkins]

This discusses Collectivism and Individualism from a team dynamics perspective. That barely scratches the surface of the implications of these two different mindsets. The study is SO much deeper than this and a full study demands a study of the entirety of human history. Simply change the title of this to
"Understanding Collectivism and Individualism in Business Team Dynamics"

[loratoad]

If we view these as an either or option, the worst of both options leave society handcuffed. The beauty is in the tension of seeing your self as an individual with goals and boundaries, but also as a piece of greater whole. There are time to be self defined, but the greatest form of self-actualization is recognizing and engaging in interdependent relationships.

[teadarden]

An individualist who believes in interdependency.

[theloniousMac]

“Collectivism means the subjugation of the individual to a group—whether to a race, class or state does not matter. Collectivism holds that man must be chained to collective action and collective thought for the sake of what is called “the common good.”

― Ayn Rand

Geopolitically speaking, the term collectivism is primarily used to refer to collectivist forms of government like communism and socialism. Collectivism is anathema to Americanism which is highly individualistic. Individualism is one of the primary tenets of western civilization and is given credit for helping the west (as you say) ACHIEVE as much as it has. The interesting thing about such achievement is that it typically moves society forward far more rapidly than collectivism.

Still, even though we are individualistic, we OBVIOUSLY work in groups. Groups of individuals come together to achieve goals with individuals given specific responsibilities with a single individual taking overall responsibility for the success or failure of the group of individuals.

“...Rugged individualism, derived from "individualism", is a term that indicates the ideal whereby an individual is totally self-reliant and independent from outside, usually state or government, assistance. While the term is often associated with the notion of laissez-faire and associated adherents it was actually coined by American President, Herbert Hoover, who presided over the emerging Great Depression. “ Leonard Pekoff

In our on going cultural battle with collectivist ideologies like Marxism, Socialism, and Communism, the word collectivist fell out of use in favor of those other terms.

“...Collectivism holds that the individual has no rights, that his life and work belong to the group . . . and that the group may sacrifice him at its own whim to its own interests. The only way to implement a doctrine of that kind is by means of brute force—and statism has always been the political corollary of collectivism...” Ayn Rand

Again, collectivism is a highly anti-American point of view.

RACISM is a form of COLLECTIVISM by definition. RACISM declares that my personal characteristics are due to nothing more than the race that others ascribe me to, primarily based on nothing more than the way I look, and equally disgusting based on a presumed shared body chemistry, again based on nothing more than the way I look.

Interestingly one of the greatest values of Americanism is the nuclear family. “...A nuclear family, elementary family or conjugal family is a family group consisting of two parents (a man and a woman) and their children (one or more). It is in contrast to a single-parent family, the larger extended family, or a family with more than two parents. Nuclear families typically center on a married couple which may have any number of children...”

Once again we have contradiction. America values rugged individualism, individual achievement, individual responsibility, but we also value the family greatly, which is a collective. Our individualistic society relies on the strength of the nuclear family collective, which is why so many of America’s domestic enemies and detractors attack the idea of the nuclear family in general.

The nuclear family is a small group with an individual HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD, which is where the individual comes in. Each member of the family plays an individual role.

There are many things that I worry about like the state of black people in the United States. I believe we suffer from negative group dynamics and that if we can instill western ideas such as individualism and individual responsibility into our culture, we can defeat many of our social problems.

[zioncommand]

I'm an individualist first and foremost because the only one looking out for my own well being is me.

But, I will treat others with dignity and respect but on an individualistic scale. People are not the same.

[romnz_]

Individualist all day. I despise group projects. Good stuff Mr. Rockson.

[zachnelson]

Collectivism assumes that everyone will have the exact same goals, without realizing that inherent human nature is motivated by self interest

[allensuchinski]

I can with 100 percent certainty that I am a bit of both. Growing up with- in a large immediate and extended family I was thrusted into working collectively to accomplish goals just to survive everyday living. It was not until I was in middle school that I started to achieve individual goals that segway into adult hood. Having both collectivism as well as individualism in my life most definitely helped with job prospects and career choices.

[bigsmiler]

As someone gifted with Asperger's Syndrome I would tend to be purely Individualist. However, life and especially a career as a military officer (and all the brain-washing that's required to become one) has taught me we must have Unity. Therefore, I now don't get along with anyone because my Viewpoint is a mix of "You're Both Right" and "Everyone is Wrong."

[beanielingbeanie]

Thx to the video! I have a better understanding on individualist and collectivist. And now i know i have the tendency of collectivist rather then individual because “we” is the word i use the most and think the most...

[Mijn]

Individualism Vs. Collectivism healthy and unhealthy consequences

Collectivism (healthy)
- Family/belonging
- Comfort
- Purpose
- Sexual gratification

Collectivism (Unhealthy)
- Tribalism
- Hatred
- Violence
- Inauthenticity

Individualism (healthy)
- Authenticity/Originality
- Self-Reliance
- Creativity
- Leadership

Individualism (Unhealthy)
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Suicide
- Narcissism

[kellynoble]

Very interesting. I like to think of myself as a person whom prefers to do things myself, but is willing to do group things.

[chetsinorarene]

I love how you described with examples. easier to understand and i love that you said neither culture is wrong because at the end they exist and work for the respective communities. And we must learn to communicate across these differences. !!

[freierHimmel]

1:25 Well i would name your Description of Individualist "Egoist". Individualists do form and act in groups when needed, but they are more like cooperations to achieve a common goal. Everybody works together to achieve that goal for their own reasons, not for the group or because of peer pressure. *The group is just a tool to get shit done better, not everybody a tool to make the group better.*

[constructingadditionalpylo]

I come from a highly individualist country and try to do everything (mostly) myself, and beat myself up when I need collaboration. AND I'm introverted. But I'm realising I need more collectivism in my life. I need people and noise around me

[brandonvillatuya]

As someone with more individualistic values. I highly respect the selflessness of some people I know with more collectivist views. It's not so much people need to have one over the other. But we need to find out what our values are and how to respect and coexist with those of different cultures

[nicolep]

Thank you for this . I am from Canada and my roomate just moved here from Sri Lanka so this has made it easier to understand our cultural differences

[sodeepned]

Collectivism works well until you run into a family member that’s willing to disown you because of disagreement, like marrying someone of a different cultural background. Deep down all human beings are motivated by self interest and therefore whether or not they want to admit it even people who come from collectivist cultures are deep down individualistic because of the fact that human beings are selfish at the core. I don’t like socialism, therefore I don’t like collectivism.

[bloodykitten]

I have been struggling with this for two days and then I ran across your page. Thank you for explaining it in a way I can understand. AWESOME JOB! I am both, pending on the setting. :)